Thoughts of a lifelong fan: The conversation with a Wombles fan that became a reality

“All the other teams involved in the bottom of the table dog fight all lost, apart from Steve Evans’ Bristol Rovers, which leaves us with a game on Sunday against the other CTFC, away in Gloucestershire. Unfortunately, I won’t be there, or able to watch it on TV, as I will be up in Cheshire and North Staffs, but I will end this article with an interesting chat we had with some AFC Wombles on the Thameslink back yesterday (NEW YEAR’S DAY). The dad of the group asked what we thought of Danilo Orsi, to which we replied in a very positive manner. They, and they said they were speaking for Wombles everywhere, said they thought he was rubbish and, if we wanted him back, they would arrange the transport. Worth a shot in the window? What do you think? READ ON FOR WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.

Unfortunately, we have lost the title “one CTFC”, by losing 3-0 away to Cheltenham, and all the other teams involved in trying to avoid the trap door had their games postponed due to the adverse weather conditions currently being “enjoyed”, if that’s the right word, here in the United Kingdom. You could consider this as good news, but the realist in me is saying that it just means our opponents have one more game to play to pick up the points to go above us.

By the time Crawley Town play again on the 17th against Notts County, only Harrogate, away to Crewe Alexandra, would have had the chance to go above us with an unlikely victory (which they didn’t get, but drew one all) All the other teams, in the fight out that no one wanted, were involved in the FA Cup or did not have a game because of it, like us.

Before we entertain Notts County, and when I say entertain, I really mean utterly destroy them, I think it would do everyone involved with our club a great deal of good to look back to Season 2022/2023 when we were in a very similar position. Yes, after 25 games played, we were on 25 points, six higher than we are on now. However, after a victory in Scott’s first game in charge against Salford City, we then went eight games without a win and only one point gained from a draw at home against Crewe Alexandra.

In those eight games we played six away from home and, by the time we had played 33 games, we were in 23rd place on 26 points. Back to the future, we have four games at home against Notts County, Harrogate Town, Crewe Alexandra and Cambridge United and four away against Barrow, Walsall, Tranmere and MK Dons in which to obtain a better points tally than we did in 2022/2023 if we are to stand a chance of maintaining our league status. It won’t be easy, but I know if anyone can get these players playing as well as they are able it is Scott Lindsey and all of you who attend matches home and away.

I am not going to try and predict where we will get the points from just to get us to a position where we stand a chance as we go into the final furlong and a bit of the season, but I do know that our maximum support in terms of numbers and positive attitude and sound volume will be required.

Glancing back to the paragraph I wrote that wasn’t published, Danilo has not returned “home”, as yet. At this point I awake and look around me, at the four grey walls that surround me, and I think “am I only dreaming? Added to the rumours about another hero returning to fight for the cause also coming true as Klaidi Lolos returns to the Broadfield on loan from Peterborough until the end of this season along with Louie Copley from Arsenal, also on loan until the end of this season, that makes eight in through the door and the season might only just be beginning. The moral of this true-life story is, it’s ok to speak to other teams' fans, even if they are Wombles and to pass on information gleaned to those who matter. Have we played a part in Danilo coming home? I don’t know, but who expletive deleted cares.

Players out of the club during the January window, at the moment, stands at just two with goalkeeper Ryan Sandford, leaving at the expiration of his contract, and Kyle Scott returning to the States to play for Las Vegas Lights.

I really hope that the almost two-week break in competitive action has given Scott and his coaching staff the chance to remotivate the current squad and incorporate, what now stands at seven new boys , Akin Odimayo, Jonny Russell, Taylor Richards, Theo Vassell, Tobi Adeyemo, Klaidi Lolos, Louie and Danilo into the way of playing the game in the style we all have grown to love since the start of the Lindsey era. Two of them already know what to expect and hopefully the other six will acclimatise quickly and change our direction from free fall into a sure and steady climb up the League 2 table.

Of course, we could have even more incomings and outgoings before the end of January, but all we can really hope for is that those who are here for the rest of 2025/2026 lay it all on the line and that we, the supporters, encourage them to do so.

TOWN TEAM TOGETHER